4th September 2014, New Delhi, India. An elephant loaded with fodder and a handler crosses a busy road as a cyclist clasps his hand to his chest in homage, New Delhi, India on the 4th September 2014. Elephants are revered in India due to their enshrinement in many and various religious traditions and beliefs.

Elephant owners (Mahouts) eke out a living in makeshift camps on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi. They survive by giving rides to passers by and hiring the animals out for religious festivals, events and weddings, they also are involved in the illegal trade of captive elephants. The living conditions and treatment of elephants kept in cities in North India is extremely harsh, the handlers use the banned 'ankush' or bullhook to control the animals through daily beatings, the animals have no proper shelters are forced to walk on burning hot tarmac and stand for hours with their feet chained together.